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Packers Reportedly Have Interest in Texans TE Garrett Graham

The Houston Texans have exclusive negotiating rights with tight end Garrett Graham for four more days. On March 8, he's able to negotiate with other teams, and the Green Bay Packers reportedly have interest, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network:

Teams have a week to lock up FAs-to-be, and #Texans are working to do so with TE Garrett Graham. #Packers will have interest if he’s free

Not until March 11 can free agents start signing with other teams, but it's possible the Packers may look to a player like Graham to fill the void should tight ends Jermichael Finley and Andrew Quarless leave in free agency.

At 6-3 and 249 lbs. and 28 years old, Graham is a flexible tight end, able to line up as an H-back as well as play the traditional in-line tight end role.

In his fourth year in the NFL, Graham emerged as a receiving threat for the first time in his career this past season when starter Owen Daniels was slowed by injuries. In 13 games, starting 11, Graham caught 49 passes for 545 yards and five touchdowns.

Graham doesn't figure to break the bank and will more likely be part of the second wave of free-agent signings––should he reach the open market––after the ridiculous money has been spent on the big names.

Quarless, by comparison, is three years younger than Graham but has been slowed by a serious knee injury suffered in 2011 and hasn't been the same player since.

Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed optimism at last week's NFL Combine that Finley would be cleared from his own serious neck injury and subsequent spinal-fusion surgery, but there are no guarantees that Finley will return to Green Bay.

To cite one example, NFL.com has Graham as the #91 FA available, but Chandler isn't anywhere to be found on the list.

He has better size (6'7" vs. 6'3"), is only a year older (28 vs 27) and has put up better numbers the last few years (in a much worse offense). Their combine speed numbers are pretty much identical, too (4.78 vs. 4.71; 4.32 vs. 4.35 20-yard shuttle)

The main reason why I like him better is his size. We currently don't have anyone close to that size on offense. He could really help in the redzone.

He has had horrible offenses to play in and pairing him up with Nelson, Cobb, Lacy and Rodgers, I think he could be a good addition.
I am not sure of his story, but I know he played college football at Iowa.
Thompson likes Hawkeyes and he could be another one on the roster.

But how good is Scott Chandler in regards to being flexible? Is he a viable option to line up as an H-back as well as play the traditional in-line role or spread out? Does he lack the same skill set of Garrett Graham within those roles?

I don't think Quarless and Graham/Chandler/OtherUFA is an either/or proposition. Quarless did take a big step forward and it would be good to have him back, but I think we all consider it unlikely Finley returns, and clearly Ryan Taylor and Jake Stonepenalty aren't the answer at #2. A Quarless-Graham pairing at TE doesn't offer quite the dynamic quality Finley brings, but I don't think it's a bad lineup.

I thought Quarless really played well in December after getting the rust off, at least receiving wise. His blocking was still rusty, but I think that he will also regain that aspect of his game this year. Sign him! Another FA I think worth a look is Jeff Cumberland from the Jets. He has shown flashes running deep down the seam and could do well in our system and with a great QB throwing him the ball.

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